MISSION MINISTRIES
A mission-driven church
First UMC has a long history of putting faith into action, serving our neighbors in Salt Lake City and communities around the world. Through partnerships, direct assistance, advocacy, and volunteer service, our humanitarian ministries respond to needs ranging from hunger and housing to health and education.
Interested in getting involved? Contact the church office at 801-328-8726 or office@fumcslc.org.
Movie Night
For several years, First UMC has opened its doors to provide a safe, welcoming space for our unsheltered neighbors during the coldest months of the year. What began as Movie Nights has grown into an important community effort, bringing together volunteers to provide a warm place to rest, a hot meal, movies, basic necessities, and hospitality.
First UMC was the first church to provide space for this effort, at times welcoming as many as 65 guests in Fellowship Hall. St. Mark’s Cathedral later joined the partnership, expanding the number of people who can find shelter on dangerously cold nights.
Crossroads
Urban Center
First UMC has a long history with Crossroads Urban Center, which has served Utahns experiencing hunger and poverty since 1966. Our congregation supports Crossroads through food and clothing donations, advocacy, and special efforts throughout the year.
Each summer, we participate in the Golden Celery food drive to help stock Crossroads' emergency food pantries. In 2026, First UMC placed third while contributing an incredible 91 pounds of food per person — part of a record-setting year for the annual food drive.
Crossroads also brings people together through advocacy and education around hunger, homelessness, and poverty in our community.
Family Promise
First UMC has partnered with Family Promise Salt Lake since its early years, helping families experiencing homelessness move toward stable housing. Family Promise provides temporary shelter, meals, case management, and hospitality while families work toward long-term stability.
Our congregation supports the program by providing meals and volunteers during designated hosting weeks. Volunteers may help prepare or serve meals, spend time with families, or assist with other needs at the shelter churches.
Levy Woodruff has served as First UMC's Family Promise Coordinator since 2011. As she prepares to step down at the end of 2026, we are grateful for her many years of faithful service and are forming a team to continue this important ministry.
SALUD Y PAZ | GUATEMALA
For many years, First UMC has partnered with Salud y Paz, a ministry promoting health, healing, and education in Mayan communities in Guatemala. Our church has sent nine medical and construction teams to Guatemala, working alongside local leaders and medical professionals to support community-based care.
First UMC teams have helped with the construction of medical clinics and participated in medical and dental outreach in rural communities. Salud y Paz celebrates 25 years of service in 2026 and continues to expand its ability to provide locally led care.
Larry and Ginny Hjalmarson have provided longtime leadership for First UMC's Guatemala teams, and we are grateful for their years of service as new leaders begin to emerge for future trips.
Music Ministry
The vision of the Music Ministry at FUMC is to Praise God. Through music, we reach out to our diverse community in celebration, praise and worship of God’s grace and goodness. The Music Ministry Team selects music for worship, cultivates skills in choral singing for the Chancel Choir, provides musical opportunities for self-expression, and gives positive spiritual and social support to its members.
The Chancel Choir provides the music for the 11:15am Sunday worship service from Sept - May.
Chancel Choir Rehearsal is on Sunday's at 10:30 am.
Community Garden
In the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, nestled within the embrace of the First United Methodist Church, a new initiative springs to life: a community garden.
As an extension of the church's profound love for its city and its commitment to serve its neighbors, the garden is a manifestation of faith in action.
Here, seeds of vegetables and fruits are sown alongside those of hope and community, a testament to the church's mission of merging the deep gladness of individual souls with the profound needs of the world.
THE CLARA FOUNDATION
First UMC's connection to the Clara Foundation began through Rev. Akhtar, who raised funds through our congregation to establish a school for girls in Pakistan and personally helped oversee its construction.
Originally created to teach girls sewing skills that could provide a source of income, the school has evolved as community needs have changed and continues to provide educational opportunities for girls. Members of the Akhtar family continue to care for the school and its mission.
GOOD SAMARITAN FUND
The Good Samaritan Fund allows First UMC to provide direct assistance to individuals experiencing an immediate financial need. Supported entirely by designated donations, the fund may help with essential expenses such as housing, utilities, transportation, medical needs, or food.
To protect the privacy and dignity of those receiving assistance, support is handled confidentially and payments are generally made directly to service providers rather than to individuals. Gifts designated to the Good Samaritan Fund help make this ministry possible.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
First UMC also opens its doors to community organizations whose work supports healing, connection, and well-being. Narcotics Anonymous has met regularly in our Fellowship Hall for many years, providing a consistent space for people seeking recovery and mutual support.
